Oklahoma attorney general sues to stop US’s first public religious school (AP) — The approval of a publicly funded religious school is the latest in a series of actions taken by conservative-led states that include efforts to teach the Bible in public schools, and to ban books and lessons about race, sexual orientation and gender identity. The post Oklahoma attorney general sues to stop US’s first public religious sch…

German leaders voice outrage and thousands rally in Berlin in reaction to rising antisemitism BERLIN (AP) — The protest comes as antisemitic incidents have been rising in Germany following the violent escalation of the war in Gaza. The post German leaders voice outrage and thousands rally in Berlin in reaction to rising antisemitism appeared first on Religion News Service.

Violence forced them to flee. Now faith sustains these migrants on their journey to the US TIJUANA, Mexico (AP) — While many places in Mexico provide shelter for Venezuelans, Haitians and Central Americans, some shelters in Tijuana have seen an influx of Mexicans fleeing violence, extortion and threats by organized crime. The post Violence forced them to flee. Now faith sustains these migrants on their journey to the US appeared first…

The glass at the wedding only seems broken What do you do if a funeral procession meets a funeral procession? Which one gets the right of way? The answer is a key to Jewish life. The post The glass at the wedding only seems broken appeared first on Religion News Service.

A Detroit synagogue president was fatally stabbed outside her home. Police don’t have a motive DETROIT (AP) — Woll, 40, had led the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue since 2022 and was a former aide to Democratic Rep. Elissa Slotkin and campaign staffer for Attorney General Dana Nessel, the Detroit Free Press reported. The post A Detroit synagogue president was fatally stabbed outside her home. Police don’t have a motive appeared first on Re…

Israel says two Americans held hostage by Hamas, a mother and daughter, have been released KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — The release comes amid growing expectations of a ground offensive that Israel says is aimed at rooting out Hamas militants who rule Gaza The post Israel says two Americans held hostage by Hamas, a mother and daughter, have been released appeared first on Religion News Service.

Two young Palestinian women died in a Gaza church, treated like ‘human animals’ (RNS) — The shelling of St. Porphyrios follows efforts to dehumanize Palestinians to justify inhumane attacks. The post Two young Palestinian women died in a Gaza church, treated like ‘human animals’ appeared first on Religion News Service.

Photos of the Week: Ongoing global tensions on war in Israel, Gaza (RNS) — Each week Religion News Service presents a gallery of photos of religious expression around the world. This week’s photo gallery includes global reactions and effects of the ongoing war in Israel and Gaza. The post Photos of the Week: Ongoing global tensions on war in Israel, Gaza appeared first on Religion News Service.

In tough times, churches can’t afford to go it alone, new book advises (RNS) — Samford University sociologist Jennifer McClure Haraway looks at the way congregations in Alabama work together — and what congregations around the country can learn from them. The post In tough times, churches can’t afford to go it alone, new book advises appeared first on Religion News Service.

Archbishop of Canterbury, in Jerusalem, to meet with Christians and Jewish leaders LONDON (RNS) — Speculation is growing that Welby, Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of the Eastern Orthodox Church might jointly issue a statement calling for a ceasefire. The post Archbishop of Canterbury, in Jerusalem, to meet with Christians and Jewish leaders appeared first on Religion News Service.

Campuses should model care: Engaging deep divides on Israel, Palestine and beyond (RNS) — In this moment, campus professionals and students must lead with care, creating space to honor the distinctive pain of both Israelis and Palestinians. The post Campuses should model care: Engaging deep divides on Israel, Palestine and beyond appeared first on Religion News Service.

Cardinal Hollerich guides synod with a gentle hand (RNS) — Hollerich hopes the synod can develop a road map for worldwide consultation before the next session of the synod in October 2024. The post Cardinal Hollerich guides synod with a gentle hand appeared first on Religion News Service.

Vegetarian or vegan? What about lab-grown beef? Hindus follow scriptures for diet advice (RNS) — Many Hindus, already vegetarian, are going vegan for health and religious reasons. But fake or lab-grown beef is still up for debate among religious authorities. The post Vegetarian or vegan? What about lab-grown beef? Hindus follow scriptures for diet advice appeared first on Religion News Service.

As Israel readies troops for ground assault, Gaza awaits urgently needed aid from Egypt KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — One blast struck a Greek Orthodox church in Gaza City where families were seeking shelter, The post As Israel readies troops for ground assault, Gaza awaits urgently needed aid from Egypt appeared first on Religion News Service.

Islamic Relief, other charities call for cease-fire to allow aid to reach Gaza (RNS) — Aid groups are doing what they can but worry that time is running out to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. The post Islamic Relief, other charities call for cease-fire to allow aid to reach Gaza appeared first on Religion News Service.

Ukrainian Parliament moves to bar Russian-linked church from operating in the country (RNS) — Draft law 8371, which requires another vote before moving to the president’s desk, would give Ukrainian authorities power to examine the connection of religious groups in Ukraine to the Russian Federation and to ban those whose leadership is outside of Ukraine. The post Ukrainian Parliament moves to bar Russian-linked church from operati…

The war in Israel and Gaza challenges us to think compassionately and morally (RNS) — Our compassion for those suffering on both sides of this war doesn’t mean the two sides are morally equal. The post The war in Israel and Gaza challenges us to think compassionately and morally appeared first on Religion News Service.

Congress, do not buy more death with my tax dollars (RNS) — Rather than double down on failed strategies, it is time to end investments in war and occupation. The post Congress, do not buy more death with my tax dollars appeared first on Religion News Service.

German chancellor condemns firebomb attack on Berlin synagogue, vows protection for Jews BERLIN (AP) — Police said they were investigating “an attempted serious arson” in which two people approached the synagogue on foot and threw the firebombs, which burst on the sidewalk next to the building. The post German chancellor condemns firebomb attack on Berlin synagogue, vows protection for Jews appeared first on Religion News Service.

The pope’s absolute power, and the problems it can cause, are on display in 2 Vatican trials VATICAN CITY (AP) — On Thursday, the Vatican’s long-running financial fraud, extortion and corruption trial resumes, with defense attorneys offering final arguments ahead of a verdict expected before the end of the year. The post The pope’s absolute power, and the problems it can cause, are on display in 2 Vatican trials appeared first on Religi…